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The Inner Planets Trilogy #1
First Power Play
As the New Earth Organization rebuilds an Earth shattered by the Martian Wars, NEO sympathizer Kemal Gavilan receives a corpse and a cryptic message from the asteroids. The Mercurian prince sends master pirate Black Barney to find out what he can, but the answer is hot: they've uncovered a weapon that can focus the sun's energy for global annihilation! The Martian and Venusian powers insist they're innocent, Kemal is forced to rejoin the royal family he once rejected to learn the awful truth.
Set in the conceivable twenty-fifth century world of Buck Rogers, First Power is written by John Miller, a contributor to Fantastic Stories and WILD CARDS short-story anthologies and author of Dead Man's Hand.
Set in the conceivable twenty-fifth century world of Buck Rogers, First Power is written by John Miller, a contributor to Fantastic Stories and WILD CARDS short-story anthologies and author of Dead Man's Hand.
274 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1990
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 2, 2020
You look at the XXVc cover art and say "pew-pew lasers! Bubble helmets! Some monster being flung over a guy's head!" and then you get inside this thing and see the usual tropes going through the motions and a noir/mystery plot and writing that doesn't compel you to finish.
September 2, 2021
Painfully average, full of tropes sci-fi.
Begins like a typical cinematic intro scene where a character whose death from unknown evildoers gives a clue for the main protagonist to begin an investigation. Speaking of which, aside from empty and forgettable protagonist, there are no characters... only stereotypes which behavior can be easily predicted. Whether it is a "tough guy" revenge-seeking pirate, redneck-like, chubby "Mom" captain, or Sunday morning cartoon corporation villain... all unremarkable.
The plot itself is just as original and revolves around a secret weapon, and the main hero trying to learn more about it. I won't spoil much in case if you decide to read the book.
The only somewhat interesting aspect of the story was its setting, which is based on colonized terrestrial worlds and the asteroid belt stations, all within the solar system (there is even a map among first pages on hardcopy that explains the situation around the system), but as I understand it was written by other authors since the book is part of "Buck Rogers 25th century" world which involves more than one writer.
I don't know about other books in the series, but this one, written by John Miller, may not be worth your attention. Unless you just run out of good sci-fi to read.
Begins like a typical cinematic intro scene where a character whose death from unknown evildoers gives a clue for the main protagonist to begin an investigation. Speaking of which, aside from empty and forgettable protagonist, there are no characters... only stereotypes which behavior can be easily predicted. Whether it is a "tough guy" revenge-seeking pirate, redneck-like, chubby "Mom" captain, or Sunday morning cartoon corporation villain... all unremarkable.
The plot itself is just as original and revolves around a secret weapon, and the main hero trying to learn more about it. I won't spoil much in case if you decide to read the book.
The only somewhat interesting aspect of the story was its setting, which is based on colonized terrestrial worlds and the asteroid belt stations, all within the solar system (there is even a map among first pages on hardcopy that explains the situation around the system), but as I understand it was written by other authors since the book is part of "Buck Rogers 25th century" world which involves more than one writer.
I don't know about other books in the series, but this one, written by John Miller, may not be worth your attention. Unless you just run out of good sci-fi to read.
January 13, 2024
The second trilogy in TSR's attempt to start interest in their Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century RPG.
It's disappointing that Buck Rodgers plays no part in this book. However, it is better than the previous trilogy because the author kept the focus on one primary protagonist, Kemal Gavilan the Prince of Mercury that joined in the rebellion in the previous trilogy.
Kemal is lured into investigating disappearances in the asteroid belt. He teams up with the space pirate Barney and there they discover a research station that is using raw materials from Mercury to create a terrifying weapon of destruction. He discovers he must return to Mercury and deal with his Uncle who seized the throne when Kemal's father died.
It's disappointing that Buck Rodgers plays no part in this book. However, it is better than the previous trilogy because the author kept the focus on one primary protagonist, Kemal Gavilan the Prince of Mercury that joined in the rebellion in the previous trilogy.
Kemal is lured into investigating disappearances in the asteroid belt. He teams up with the space pirate Barney and there they discover a research station that is using raw materials from Mercury to create a terrifying weapon of destruction. He discovers he must return to Mercury and deal with his Uncle who seized the throne when Kemal's father died.
May 22, 2023
Mercurian. Frustrating. Space action and adventure.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews